For some reason, it’s not weird to start the first weekend of September off with geezer werewolves, guns, and zombies. Well, at least, not where Mercury Radio Theater is concerned. The Philly trio, whose music can be best described as a ’50s sci-fi flick turned ravenous, will take over Johnny Brenda’s tonight for their Kilroy record release show. The third episode in their "Monster Trilogy," Kilroy tells the story of a "geriatric werewolf, an old-folks home and a handgun" in blasts of geeked-out rampageous rockabilly, jazz-punk and prog-infused instrumentals. And if you’ve followed Mercury Radio Theater’s career over the past few years, you know that their album release shindig will be anything but mediocre–in addition to playing Kilroy, the band plans on scooping up former MRT members to play their "lost episode," "Manhattan Zombie Massacre," while Miss Rose provides some sultry burlesque between all the madness. mewithoutYou‘s Greg Jehanian and his side project, Geology, will also add their sound to the foray. Johnny Brenda’s, 1201 Frankford Ave., 8pm, $10, 21+ – Annamarya Scaccia

If you’re looking to hold on to that last bit of summer, then you probably want to head over to a block party. The Lot Party: Music Fusion/Block Party is going on all day today, and for five bucks you’ll get two free beers as well as access to water fights, skate ramps, moon bounce, pools, contests, food (tentative), and drinks. There will also be performances by one of our favorite young hip hop crews Ground Up, Cody Kahmar, and Paris Artelli as well as DJs like Sega, Uncle Ron, Damage and many others spinning throughout the day. So here’s your chance to keep what has already been a great summer of parties going! The Lot Party: Music Fusion/Block Party, (17th & Diamond St.), Block 1pm – 6:30pm & Music Fusion 7pm – ?, $5, All Ages – H.M. Kauffman

We’re all about the FREE shows this weekend! The summer is winding down so it’s time to take advantage of what little time we have left of it. Sigma Sound Studios is going to be raging this weekend, especially after the disappointing postponement of the Reading Rainbow/Cat Vet/The Homophones show last week. The Making Time crew are bringing their “anything goes” attitude to the space with Snacks featuring Pink Skull, who have their rad new album Psychic Welfare coming out later this month. Our staff seems torn about tomorrow’s WHYY Connections Fest (with local faves Dr. Dog, Toy Soldiers, Kuf Knotz, and Birdie Busch as well as Justin Townes Earle) at The Great Plaza at Penn’s Landing and the 215 Magazine/Vitamin Water Uncapped Live showcase (with Sun Airway and Work Drugs) at Sigma Sound Studios. But we’re hoping that the rock gods will work in our favor, and we’ll be able to make both events. Hope to see everyone out and about!

Local melodic indie twee outfit Catnaps (formerly When I Was 12) has certainly had a chance to experience life on the road this summer. But I have feeling performing their infectiously catchy tunes from Why Don’t You Whisper? every evening has only brought the four-piece closer together. (Oh no, cuddle party!) The band has since returned and is getting back into the Philly groove by playing this year’s Clark Park Fall Equinox Festival as well as one of the first shows to hit the Milkboy Philly. But before those appearances, they’ll be performing tonight at one of our favorite hidden local gems, PhilaMOCA. Catnaps will be joined by Philly jangly pop outfit Burberry Possums and the spacey, ethereal Shawn Rosenblatt, otherwise known as Netherfriends – the artist who is best known for spending an entire year writing and recording a song and performing in all 50 states. He also picked-up some Philly folks to join him along the way. PhilaMOCA, 531 N. 12th St., 8pm, $7 – $10 donation, All Ages (Photo by Melissa Cell) – Bill McThrill

Slave Ambient starts with a buzz and a warm, acoustic hum that swells into something reminiscent of the Broken Social Scene’s glory days. The latest effort by Philly four-piece, the War on Drugs, sonically fits into Secretly Canadian’s aesthetic, striking the same emotive chord as label mates Throw Me the Statue or Here We Go Magic. A cohesive fusion between indie pop and what feels like lo-fi folk, the hybridity of their sophomore LP release amplifies the War On Drugs’ ability to create lyrical texture and sound.

The alum’s opener, “Best Night,” is subtle and unfolds cathartic. A tempered mix of vocals and instrumentation frame the core appeal of the song. It is honest, lush, and memorable, much like lead vocalist Adam Granduciel’s diction. Effortlessly, “Best Night” eases into the following track, “Brothers.” Atmospheric wind premises jangly chords that seem to drip with harmonization. Granduciel’s delivery brings to mind Bob Dylan or a young Lou Reed, rendering the song into an apt anthem for autumn in the wake of summer’s decline. “I Was There” slides in with rustic distortion and vibrant melodies that swoon romantic to the tune of its harmonica and twangy riffs while “Your Love Is Calling My Name,” with its almost instantaneous tempo and rushing sounds, resembles the cinematic feel of traffic or the brilliance of a city skyline at dusk. The shift from “The Animator” to “Come to the City” is flawless and organic, occurring without a shred of disconnect or dissonance. Latter tracks like “It’s Your Destiny” glisten and feel prophetic with echoey vocals and persistent beats, making instrumental cuts like “City Reprise” feel like a less strung out AnCo laced with the skill of a psyched out Mogwai. “Baby Missiles” harbors a pop-friendly charm while “Original Slave” is an introspective revisioning of melodies rampant throughout the album’s length. Closing with “Blackwater,” the War On Drug’s Slave Ambient stands as a testament to earnest longings and the band’s prolific potential from start to end.

It may have been an excruciatingly long wait for the full-length follow-up to Wagonwheel Blues, but one that is worthy to be treasured. You can purchase Slave Ambient via Secretly Canadian HERE. – Dianca Potts

Coup Couroux are no strangers to winning. They emerged victorious in last year’s Beta Hi-Fi competition at World Café Live, and just recently won our Featured Artist(s) Poll. We had a chance to throw our get-to-know-you questions at the band so check out HERE the story of their somewhat mythical beginnings as well as the band’s likes and dislikes that includes Philly’s infamous problem with chicken bones (which also ranks at the top of our list of things we hate about Philly). They’ll be performing next in town on September 10 at Kung Fu Necktie.

“ACID KICKS is made up of 3 bass players and 1 drummer. 3+1=4. The rest that you hear is just another part of the punk rock american dream.” And tonight at the Little Bar that one drummer will be Creepoid’s Pat Troxell. He’ll be filling in this evening while Acid Kicks search for a new drummer to replace Alex Zilinski who has moved to New Orleans to join Dead People on tour. (Any takers ready to step up to the skins?) If three bassists sound like overkill to you, then you need to check out Acid Kicks and experience how wonderful being bombarded by heavy artillery fire of low-end can feel. They might just be the band that you’ve been looking for your whole life, but never even knew it. Acid Kicks will be joined in the cozy Little Bar by Baltimore’s Witch Hat and Weekends as well as locals Fire in the Hearts and Minds (ex-The G, Gods and Queens). Little Bar, 736 S. 8th St., 8pm, $5, 21+ (Photo by Sam Levine) – Q.D. Tran